Listening to our body wisdom is the key to balancing the hormones, finding freedom with food, and reaching and maintaining our ideal weight with ease.

In order to tune into body wisdom and hear the messages that your body is constantly sending out, you’ll need to cultivate a certain level of presence and awareness. In order to actually hear what foods nourish you and which ones deplete you, you’ll need to stay open to hear the oftentimes very subtle language of the body.

When we eat quickly, while multitasking, feeling guilty, or according to artificially imposed food rules, we initiate a low-level stress response. The stress response triggers a hormonal cascade that deregulates appetite, increases cravings, hinders digestion and assimilation, and causes weight gain and inflammation over time. So you aren’t doing yourself any favors by scarfing down that slice of pie while standing with the fridge door open pretending as though it never happened. Additionally, many overeat to feel grounded and relaxed. So slow, soulful nourishment actually helps us to stop when we are satisfied rather than when we feel sedated and full.

Assignment #1: Embrace Slow, Sensual & Intuitive Nourishment

1) When your hunger kicks in, drop into your body and inquire within:

What does my body really want?

What combination of foods would be most nourishing for body, mind, and soul at this moment?

How do I want to feel after the meal? What foods would support this frequency of energy that I am looking to create?

2) Once you've decided how to nourish yourself, take your seat and feel your sit bones on the chair and your feet making contact with the earth. Breathe into your belly three times. Say a quick blessing of gratitude.

3) Track your breath as you eat to stay tuned into how much food feels both satiating and appropriate. Eat to the point of energy rather than fullness.

4) Eat soulfully and stay present for the act of receiving nourishment. Approach all foods with an open heart and a curious mind. After all, your body is the best source of wisdom about what foods are best for YOU. But, in order to hear body intelligence, we need to pay attention.